PROJECT in a box - Methodology Development

PROJECT in a box software has extensive capability in hosting any document based management process.  P2ABC as standard to support Authentic implementation of PRINCE2 but many customers move beyond this starting point and customise the methods or add their own entirely new methods.

Customers can customise methods themselves using the Method Manager tool or by local manipulation of the XML files which contain the method definition.  Some customers prefer not to do this themselves but ask the team at PROJECT in a box to assist, something we are very happy to do and we provide this either as a service or we sell the resulting template as a product.

Additional Standard Templates

The Team at PROJECT in a box have produced a number of Method Templates for customers which are now available to buy and add on to your existing implementation.  PROJECT in a box can also be commissioned to produce Method Templates to support a wide range of your business management needs from project management, product management and sales management through to service management such as ITIL.

To find out more about the additional standard templates available to buy now click here.

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Method Template Development

After providing training, method development is the service we most commonly provide in support of Professional Edition implementations.

Some customers come specifically to us because they have their own established and fit  for purpose methodology and they want a system to host it to enable it to be shared by project teams.  In these cases where a methodology is well understood, documented and has a good set of template files available we can create a new method template (or series of templates in the case of a scaled method) very quickly.  We usually also provide a framework to support the upload of documents for projects already running to the method.  This can usually be achieved in a matter of a few days.

We can also help you develop a methodology to suit your organisation's specific needs although this is usually a longer term project.  These developments vary significantly depending on the organisation and the type of projects undertaken but usually see an existing standard methodology such as PRINCE2 as a start point which is then customised to fit with the language, culture and expectations of the organisation.  Undertaking this sort of exercise results in something more acceptable and recognisable to the individuals in the organisation and as such reduces the problems that can occur when trying to roll out new processes into an organisation.

The team at PROJECT in a box have a broad background, having been employed in the following areas:

• Public sector
• Private sector
• Corporate/PLC
• SME
• Engineering
• Software
• Professional Services
• Technical Services
• Quality Management
• Health

This depth of understanding of how a range of different organisations approach project and other business processes enables us to offer advice and insights from a helpful external perspective.  In addition our Managing Director, Malcolm West, won the Sir Monty Finniston Award in 1999 for developing and implementing a scaled project management methodology in a recently privatised Government agency in the mid 90s.

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Understanding Method Templates

Overview

PROJECT in a box uses Method Templates to control many aspects of each ‘project’ when it is set up and in operational use.  The Method Template used to create the project on the server dictates the following attributes:

• The process diagrams used for navigation
• The name number and arrangement of the processes and sub-processes created
• The documents included in each process
• The specific template files included in each document
• The specific hyperlinks included in each document to provide a link to sources of information or web applications outside the configuration control of the project
• The specific windows shortcuts included in the project to link to applications or local resources commonly used for delivery of that project type. (from V2.0)
• The flags set against the document (i.e. whether a document’s use is mandatory or optional) when it is created. (from V2.0)
• The name (alias) given to the Project level and Stage level’s of structure in the ‘project’.  For instance when a Programme is being managed using the MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) Method Template, the main level can be named Programme and the sublevel named Project in the forms and on the explorer. (from V2.0)
• The names of the up to six progress checkpoints given to a ‘stage’ for reporting use.  For instance this can refer to work packages in a Method Template for a ‘project’ and projects in a Method Template for a ‘programme’. (from V2.0)
• The contents of the Template Library provided with the project.  This can be used to provide a consistent source of files which are added repeatedly like change request proformas. (from V2.0)
• The structure of the menu.

The system is provided as standard with method templates for the following (P2ABC):

• Complete PRINCE2 – the full authentic PRINCE2 method using navigation diagrams from the PRINCE2 manual and the approved set of OGC templates provided under licence
• Basic PRINCE2 – a scaled back version of PRINCE2 optimised for medium complexity/risk projects using PROJECT in a box authored template files and tools
• Access PRINCE2 – a mini PRINCE2 method for small projects with single products again using PROJECT in a box authored template files and tools

There is no limit to the number of Method Templates that can be held on the server and this enables the client to deliver standard PRINCE2 methods or to copy and modify the templates to match their needs.

In fact clients can also create their own custom method templates or purchase additional ones from PROJECT in a box.  A Method Template is available for Managing Successful Programmes, this has been produced under licence from OGC and contains the navigation diagrams from the MSP manual.

Managing Method Templates

The PROJECT in a box approach using Method Templates has been very well received and gives the organisation maximum flexibility in supporting their preferred in-house project management method.  The Portfolio reporting capability works at a level above the Method Templates and allows projects from any number of methods to be included in a reporting group.

PROJECT in a box provides a service to help clients create and manage their Method Templates but it is more common for clients to manage these themselves.  Method Templates can be altered in the raw XML files which control them or clients can use the Method Manager application to make all the required changes from a simple intuitive application allowing control of the methods to be retained by the SRO.

Managing Projects for optimum fit

Once a project has been created from the most appropriate Method Template the Project Manager can then alter this to fit the precise requirements of their project by adding, removing or altering documents, files, hyperlinks, flags and security permissions.  This fine control ensures that broad consistency is maintained on the project processes but specific project requirements can still be supported.

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